Considered one of the largest gatherings of youth in the world, World Youth Day is a global Catholic celebration of the diversity and vibrancy of the church. Although World Youth Day seems infamous now, it is a relatively new institution as far as the church goes.
In 1984, Pope John Paul II organized the first World Youth Day as a celebration of the Youth Jubilee of the Holy Year of Redemption. Organizers expected sixty thousand pilgrims to attend the celebration in Rome — but a quarter of a million people showed up to flood the streets. After such a resounding success and encouragement for the church, the Holy Father instituted World Youth Day in 1985, to be held every three years in a different city around the world.
As Catholic educators, we walk with the youth of the church on a daily basis.
Explaining the institution of World Youth Day, Pope John Paul II highlighted the importance of accompanying young people in their faith journeys:
“All young people must feel accompanied by the Church: that is why the whole Church, in union with the Successor of Peter, feels more committed, at a worldwide level, to the youth of today, their concerns and requests, their openness and hopes, to respond to their aspirations, passing on the certainty that is Christ, the Truth that is Christ, the love that is Christ, through an appropriate development process.”
While the name “World Youth Day” implies a celebration of only twenty-four hours, the event has grown to be several days in length and includes masses, adoration, special presentations with guest speakers, concerts, ceremonies, meetings, and more. Most recently, World Youth Day was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 1-6, 2023.
Pope Francis attended the event and celebrated masses, hosted a welcome ceremony, and led a way of the cross and an evening vigil. Additional highlights included catechesis with Bishop Robert Barron, and an opening mass with the Patriarch of Lisbon, Manuel Cardinal Clemente.
There are too many takeaways to count from this week-long celebration of the vibrancy and true global nature of the Catholic church, but we have compiled the most encouraging quotes for Catholic educators from World Youth Day 2023, from Pope Francis, Bishop Barron, and more, below.
- Good news for all
Each World Youth Day has a scriptural theme, and the theme for World Youth Day 2023 was “Mary arose and went with haste” (Lk. 1:39).
As educators, we have a limited time with our students. In his message to World Youth Day 2023, Pope Francis challenges us to entrust ourselves to God and set about doing his work with haste, just as Mary did:
“After the Annunciation, Mary could have focused on herself and her own worries and fears about her new condition. Instead, she entrusted herself completely to God. Her thoughts turned to Elizabeth. She got up and went forth, into the world of life and movement. Even though the astonishing message of the angel had caused a seismic shift in her plans, the young Mary did not remain paralyzed, for within her was Jesus, the power of resurrection and new life. Within herself, Mary already bore the Lamb that was slain and yet lives. She arises and sets out, for she is certain that God’s plan is the best plan for her life. Mary becomes a temple of God, an image of the pilgrim Church, a Church that goes forth for service, a Church that brings the good news to all!”
- Live our lives with virtue and urgency
Similarly, Archbishop Anthony Fisher, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Sydney, Australia, expanded upon the scriptural theme of the urgency of sharing the good news of Jesus:
“There’s a seriousness and urgency to the race of life. It’s not just a game, even if some people treat it that way. We’ve only got one life, so we mustn’t waste it. We’ve got one life in which to demonstrate heroic virtue, in which to share the Good News about Jesus Christ, in which to live that Gospel, conforming ourselves ever more closely to Christ. It’s serious. It’s urgent. But it’s also exciting. It stirs within us a profound joy such as moved Mary to arise and go with haste (Lk 1:39).”
- Preach the real Christ
Many Catholic educators have the profound experience of seeing their students come to Christ for the first time, or have a re-awakening of their faith. A common thread throughout these students’ desire for Jesus is hearing the good news of his love for them and the reality of his life. In a special US Gathering at World Youth Day, Bishop Robert Barron encouraged us to share the real message of Jesus with those around us:
“When you preach the real Christ, I don’t mean some watered-down Christ, when you preach the real Jesus Christ, Son of God, it lights a fire in people, and they want to know more.”
- Replace your doubts with dreams
Many of us have inspirational posters on our walls to help our students feel accompanied and inspired in our classrooms. Let Pope Francis’ words encourage us as educators, so we can inspire our students:
“Have the courage, then, to replace your doubts with dreams. Replace your doubts with dreams: do not remain hostage to your fears, but set about working to realize your goals!”
- Accept the free gift of the love of Jesus
In the closing of his message for World Youth Day 2023, Pope Francis gives us a powerful message of encouragement both for us and our students, and reminds us of the free gift of the love of Jesus:
“I leave you with these thoughts. Carry on; if you fall, get back up; walk with a goal in mind, and train each day of your lives. Nothing is free in life, everything has to be paid for. Only one thing is free: the love of Jesus! So, with this free gift that we have – the love of Jesus – and with the desire to carry on the journey, let us walk in hope, let us be mindful of our roots, and move forwards, without fear. Do not be afraid.”
World Youth Day is a mountaintop experience and one that leaves Catholic youth with fire in their hearts, and leaves the rest of the faithful inspired and encouraged by the future of the church. As we go about our days of “ordinary time” in our classrooms, schools, and homes, let us remember Mary’s dedication, determination, and haste in her vocation as the mother of Christ. Let us go with haste into the world, preach the real Christ, and share the fire that has been put in our hearts.
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